Prime: Orientation and Training?

Im new to the trucking seen. And im going to join prime trucking i read what you wrote and it sounds like a real good company. But when do you start your year of work. After training or when you are in training. How long dose it take to get your own truck. And do thay got loads going to Chicago.Another thing is after my year can i get a dedicated run just for Chicago. I hope you can help me out with some of the things i ask you. And i hope i see you on the road

 

hey everyone names Chris, uh ive been talking to a recruiter at Prime about the cdl training and they said they can get me in around the 17th of this month. Anyways just like everyone else just looking for advice. Im in the national guard and i told the recruiter that and they didnt seem to have a problem with it. About the only home time I would request would be for my drills that are in oxnard, ca. Would they be pretty good as far as getting me either home or in the oxnard area? Also if i got my cdl permit here in california before I went in would it expedite my training a bit?

 

As far as having a place to keep your truck, Oxnard is excellent... we have our Floral Division terminal there.

Drills are what, one weekend a month and two weeks a year? Im not sure if drill time would be charged as home time, as far as company driver poilicy.

Time at home policy is 1 day at home for 7 days out, and you cant take more than 4 days in a row off at home.

As for dedicated routes... I have yet to hear of anyone on a dedicated route. I have met regional drivers... I can honestly say I have never heard the word "dedicated" uttered at Prime... I could be mistaken, just havent heard anything. Closest thing I have seen is a guy we have out of a Philly area drop yard we use who hauls empties and loaded trailers in and out of NJ for easy pickups for regular drivers...

Like everyone we pull a lot of freight in and out and thru the Chicago area.

 

yea its basically 1 weekend a month, as far as the 2 weeks my unit isnt very strict with that. They figure if i dont use it another person will, thats how i usually get 30 days of training a year

 

new no cdl

 

Thanks, I needed the info to query my recruiter and see what she had to say. I would hate to find out next week my training has been cancelled.

I'm also curious to see if they are just cutting off after me and I'm just making it under the wire.

 

I just spoke with my recruiter and according to her the only hiring freeze is on recent school grads.

Non-cdl holders and exp. drivers are still being hired.

 

yea my recruiter hasnt said anythng about a freeze. They are hoping to get me in on the 17th if not sooner

 

i am attending their cdl training Feb. 24

 

hey rdlittle, my recruiter said around the 17th for me, so maybe we might be there at the same time. the 17th is still unconfirmed till monday.